Bhopal, July 3: Madhya Pradesh‘s efforts to make tourism safer and more inclusive for women have received international recognition, with Shoko Ishikawa, Country Representative of UN Women India, praising the state’s ‘Safe Tourism Destinations for Women (STDW)’ initiative. Implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, the project has been described as a strong example of promoting women’s safety, empowerment and community-led development in the tourism sector.
During her visit to the MP Tourism Board office, Ishikawa interacted with women and young girls trained under the initiative, learning about their experiences, achievements and the positive impact the programme has had on their lives. She commended the participants for their confidence, leadership qualities and newly acquired skills, stating that the project reflects the global vision of creating safe and inclusive tourism spaces for women.
MP Safe Tourism Destinations for Women: UN Women Appreciates Community-Driven Model
Addressing the gathering, Shoko Ishikawa said the active involvement of local communities is the greatest strength of the Safe Tourism Destinations for Women project. She noted that empowering women at the grassroots level while ensuring their safety creates sustainable opportunities for economic and social development.
The UN Women India delegation also praised the project’s integrated approach, which combines skill development, safety awareness, community participation and livelihood generation to create a safer tourism ecosystem.
According to Ishikawa, the initiative serves as an inspiring example of how tourism can become a powerful tool for women’s empowerment while promoting inclusive growth.
MP Safe Tourism Destinations for Women: MP Tourism Board Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Safety
Speaking on the occasion, Abhay Arvind Bedekar, Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, said the Board is committed to transforming Madhya Pradesh into the country’s safest and most women-friendly tourism destination.
He said the project aligns with the vision of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, who has consistently emphasised women’s safety and empowerment as key priorities of the state government.
“Our objective is to create a tourism ecosystem where women feel safe, respected and empowered. Through coordinated efforts involving safety measures, skill development and active community participation, we are creating new livelihood opportunities while making tourism more inclusive,” Bedekar said.
Women Showcase Skills Through Handmade Creations
One of the highlights of the interaction was an exhibition of handicrafts created by women trained under the STDW project. The participants presented the visiting UN Women delegation with handmade souvenirs, fabric jewellery and Feng Shui artefacts, demonstrating not only their creativity but also the economic opportunities generated through the initiative.
The handcrafted gifts reflected local art, culture and craftsmanship while showcasing how skill development programmes can help women achieve financial independence and self-reliance. The visiting delegation appreciated the quality and creativity of the products, describing them as evidence of the project’s success in building sustainable livelihood opportunities.
MP Safe Tourism Destinations for Women: Focus on Women’s Economic Empowerment
Officials highlighted that the Safe Tourism Destinations for Women project goes beyond ensuring safety by equipping women with practical skills that enable them to earn livelihoods through tourism-related activities. By encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting local handicrafts and strengthening community participation, the programme is helping women become active contributors to the state’s tourism economy.
The initiative also seeks to create a welcoming environment for women travellers by improving awareness, enhancing safety measures and encouraging greater participation of women in tourism services.
UN Women Delegation Appreciates Positive Transformation
The UN Women delegation praised the project’s skill development model and community-based implementation, noting the remarkable transformation in the confidence and leadership abilities of the trained participants.
Describing the initiative as effective, inspiring and scalable, the delegation acknowledged its potential to serve as a model for promoting safe tourism and women’s empowerment across other regions.
The interaction was also attended by Kanta Singh, Country Deputy Representative of UN Women India, and Joyatri Ray, State Representative of UN Women India. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and UN Women towards creating a tourism ecosystem that prioritises safety, inclusivity, community engagement and sustainable opportunities for women across the state.
Read also: Madhya Pradesh Becomes Global Film Tourism Hub, Showcasing Culture & Heritage to 80+ Countries
